Combination Therapy with Glutaminase Inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutical preparations thereof. The invention further relates to methods of treating or preventing cancer using the novel heterocyclic compounds of the invention.

BACKGROUND

Glutamine supports cell survival, growth and proliferation through metabolic and non-metabolic mechanisms. In actively proliferating cells, the metabolism of glutamine to lactate, also referred to as “glutaminolysis” is a major source of energy in the form of NADPH. The first step in glutaminolysis is the deamination of glutamine to form glutamate and ammonia, which is catalyzed by the glutaminase enzyme (GLS). Thus, deamination via glutaminase is a control point for glutamine metabolism.

Ever since Warburg's observation that ascites tumor cells exhibited high rates of glucose consumption and lactate secretion in the presence of oxygen (Warburg, 1956), researchers have been exploring how cancer cells utilize metabolic pathways to be able to continue actively proliferating. Several reports have demonstrated how glutamine metabolism supports macromolecular synthesis necessary for cells to replicate (Curthoys, 1995; DeBardinis, 2008).

Thus, glutaminase has been theorized to be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of diseases characterized by actively proliferating cells, such as cancer. The lack of suitable glutaminase inhibitors has made validation of this target impossible. Therefore, the creation of glutaminase inhibitors that are specific and capable of being formulated for in vivo use could lead to a new class of therapeutics.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in a subject, comprising administering a compound of formula (I),

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

-   L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, CH₂NHCH₂,     CH═CH, or

preferably CH₂CH₂, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH or CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, any hydrogen of an NH unit may be replaced by alkyl, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxy;

-   X, independently for each occurrence, represents S, O or CH═CH,     preferably S or CH═CH, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be     replaced by alkyl; -   Y, independently for each occurrence, represents H or CH₂O(CO)R₇; -   R₇, independently for each occurrence, represents H or substituted     or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, or heterocyclylalkoxy; -   Z represents H or R₃(CO); -   R₁ and R₂ each independently represent H, alkyl, alkoxy or hydroxy; -   R₃, independently for each occurrence, represents substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl,     alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,     aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy,     heteroaryloxyalkyl or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), N(R₄)(R₅) or OR₆, wherein any     free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; -   R₄ and R₅ each independently represent H or substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl,     alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,     heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; -   R₆, independently for each occurrence, represents substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl,     alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,     heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; and -   R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ each independently represent H or substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino,     alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,     aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R₈ and R₉ together with the carbon to which     they are attached, form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and     wherein at least two of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are not H; and -   a taxane, such as paclitaxel, protein-bound paclitaxel     (nab-paclitaxel), cabazitaxel or docetaxel; -   wherein the subject is refractory to at least one prior chemotherapy     treatment, preferably to treatment with a taxane.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical preparation suitable for use in a human patient in the treatment or prevention of cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer, comprising an effective amount of any of the compounds described herein (e.g., a compound of the invention, such as a compound of formula I), and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical preparations may be for use in treating or preventing a condition or disease as described herein. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical preparations have a low enough pyrogen activity to be suitable for intravenous use in a human patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the GLS activity in TNBC cell lines, which correlates with sensitivity to CB-839.

FIG. 2 shows that CB-839 enhances the anti-tumor activity of paclitaxel in an in vivo TNBC model.

FIG. 3 shows the time TNBC patients remained in a clinical study of treatment with CB-839 and paclitaxel.

FIG. 4 shows the RECIST response for TNBC patients by dose in a clinical study of treatment with CB-839 and paclitaxel.

FIG. 5 shows the RECIST response for TNBC patients over time in a clinical study of treatment with CB-839 and paclitaxel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer in a subject, comprising administering a compound of formula (I),

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

-   L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, CH₂NHCH₂,     CH═CH, or

preferably CH₂CH₂, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH or CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, any hydrogen of an NH unit may be replaced by alkyl, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxy;

-   X, independently for each occurrence, represents S, O or CH═CH,     preferably S or CH═CH, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be     replaced by alkyl; -   Y, independently for each occurrence, represents H or CH₂O(CO)R₇; -   R₇, independently for each occurrence, represents H or substituted     or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, or heterocyclylalkoxy; -   Z represents H or R₃(CO); -   R₁ and R₂ each independently represent H, alkyl, alkoxy or hydroxy; -   R₃, independently for each occurrence, represents substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl,     alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,     aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy,     heteroaryloxyalkyl or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), N(R₄)(R₅) or OR₆, wherein any     free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R_(7;) -   R₄ and R₅ each independently represent H or substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl,     alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,     heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; -   R₆, independently for each occurrence, represents substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl,     alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,     heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; and -   R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ each independently represent H or substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino,     alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,     aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R₈ and R₉ together with the carbon to which     they are attached, form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and     wherein at least two of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are not H; and -   a taxane, such as paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, cabazitaxel or     docetaxel;

wherein the subject is refractory to at least one prior chemotherapy treatment, preferably refractory to treatment with a taxane.

In certain embodiments wherein alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl are substituted, they are substituted with one or more substituents selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, such as perfluoroalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, arylalkoxy, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyl, halo, alkoxy, such as perfluoroalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), alkoxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkoxy, amino, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, aminoalkylalkoxy, aminoalkoxy, acylamino, acylaminoalkyl, such as perfluoro acylaminoalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethylacylaminoalkyl), acyloxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkoxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylalkoxy, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkoxy, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocyclylaminoalkyl, heterocyclylaminoalkoxy, amido, amidoalkyl, amidine, imine, oxo, carbonyl (such as carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or acyl, including perfluoroacyl (e.g., C(O)CF₃)), carbonylalkyl (such as carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, formylalkyl, or acylalkyl, including perfluoroacylalkyl (e.g., -alkylC(O)CF₃)), carbamate, carbamatealkyl, urea, ureaalkyl, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfone, sulfonamide, sulfonamidealkyl, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, thiocarbonyl (such as thioester, thioacetate, or thioformate), phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate or phosphinate.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, or CH₂NHCH₂, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxyl. In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂. In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂CH₂. In certain embodiments, L is not CH₂SCH₂.

In certain embodiments, Y represents H.

In certain embodiments, X represents S or CH═CH. In certain embodiments, one or both X represents CH═CH. In certain embodiments, each X represents S. In certain embodiments, one X represents S and the other X represents CH═CH.

In certain embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO). In certain embodiments wherein Z is R₃(CO), each occurrence of R₃ is not identical (e.g., the compound of formula I is not symmetrical).

In certain embodiments, R₁ and R₂ each represent H.

In certain embodiments, R₃ represents arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl, such as aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl, such as hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, such as CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and each R₃ represents arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl. In certain such embodiments, each occurrence of R₃ is identical.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and each R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl, such as aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl, such as hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy. In certain such embodiments, each occurrence of R₃ is identical.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S or CH═CH, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and each R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl. In certain such embodiments, each X represents S. In other embodiments, one or both occurrences of X represents CH═CH, such as one occurrence of X represents S and the other occurrence of X represents CH═CH. In certain embodiments of the foregoing, each occurrence of R₃ is identical. In other embodiments of the foregoing wherein one occurrence of X represents S and the other occurrence of X represents CH═CH, the two occurrences of R₃ are not identical.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and each R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy. In certain such embodiments, R₈ represents aryl and R₁₀ represents hydroxyalkyl. In certain such embodiments, each occurrence of R₃ is identical.

In certain embodiments wherein L represents CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂CH₂, X represents O, and Z represents R₃(CO), both R₃ groups are not alkyl, such as methyl, or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are each independently hydrogen or alkyl.

In certain embodiments wherein L represents CH₂CH₂, X represents S, and Z represents R₃(CO), both R₃ groups are not phenyl or heteroaryl, such as 2-furyl.

In certain embodiments wherein L represents CH₂CH₂, X represents O, and Z represents R₃(CO), both R₃ groups are not N(R₄)(R₅) wherein R₄ is aryl, such as phenyl, and R₅ is H.

In certain embodiments wherein L represents CH₂SCH₂, X represents S, and Z represents R₃(CO), both R₃ groups are not aryl, such as optionally substituted phenyl, aralkyl, such as benzyl, heteroaryl, such as 2-furyl, 2-thienyl or 1,2,4-trizole, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, such as methyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl or hexyl, heterocyclyl, such as pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, or alkoxy, such as methoxy, pentyloxy or ethoxy.

In certain embodiments wherein L represents CH₂SCH₂, X represents S, and Z represents R₃(CO), both R₃ groups are not N(R₄)(R₅) wherein R₄ is aryl, such as substituted or unsubstituted phenyl (e.g., phenyl, 3-tolyl, 4-tolyl, 4-bromophenyl or 4-nitrophenyl), and R₅ is H.

In certain embodiments wherein L represents CH₂CH₂CH₂, X represents S, and Z represents R₃(CO), both R₃ groups are not alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, or propyl, cycloalkyl, such as cyclohexyl, or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein any of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ together with the C to which they are attached, form any of the foregoing.

In certain embodiments, the compound is not one of the following:

The present invention further provides a method of treating or preventing cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer, in a subject, comprising administering a compound of formula (Ia),

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

-   L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, CH₂NHCH₂,     CH═CH, or

preferably CH₂CH₂, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH or CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, any hydrogen of an NH unit may be replaced by alkyl, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxy;

-   X represents S, O or CH═CH, preferably S or CH═CH, wherein any     hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be replaced by alkyl; -   Y, independently for each occurrence, represents H or CH₂O(CO)R₇, -   R₇, independently for each occurrence, represents H or substituted     or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, or heterocyclylalkoxy; -   Z represents H or R₃(CO); -   R₁ and R₂ each independently represent H, alkyl, alkoxy or hydroxy,     preferably H; -   R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl,     arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,     heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl,     heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl or -   C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), N(R₄)(R₅) or OR₆, wherein any free hydroxyl group     may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; -   R₄ and R₅ each independently represent H or substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl,     alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,     heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; -   R₆, independently for each occurrence, represents substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl,     alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl,     heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; and -   R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ each independently represent H or substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino,     alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,     aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R₅ and R₉ together with the carbon to which     they are attached, form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and     wherein at least two of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are not H; -   R₁₁ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl,     aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy,     or heteroaryloxyalkyl, or C(R₁₂)(R₁₃)(R₁₄), N(R₄)(R₁₄) or OR₁₄,     wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; -   R₁₂ and R₁₃ each independently respresent H or substituted or     unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino,     aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino,     alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,     aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl,     heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or     heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated     to form C(O)R₇, and wherein both of R₁₂ and R₁₃ are not H; and -   R₁₄ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl,     aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy,     or heteroaryloxyalkyl; and -   a taxane, such as paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, cabazitaxel or     docetaxel;

wherein the subject is refractory to at least one prior chemotherapy treatment, preferably to treatment with a taxane.

In certain embodiments wherein alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl are substituted, they are substituted with one or more substituents selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, such as perfluoroalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, arylalkoxy, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyl, halo, alkoxy, such as perfluoroalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethylalkoxy), alkoxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylamino, hydroxyalkoxy, amino, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, aminoalkylalkoxy, aminoalkoxy, acylamino, acylaminoalkyl, such as perfluoro acylaminoalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethylacylaminoalkyl), acyloxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkoxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylalkoxy, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkoxy, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl, heterocyclylaminoalkyl, heterocyclylaminoalkoxy, amido, amidoalkyl, amidine, imine, oxo, carbonyl (such as carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or acyl, including perfluoroacyl (e.g., C(O)CF₃)), carbonylalkyl (such as carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, formylalkyl, or acylalkyl, including perfluoroacylalkyl (e.g., -alkylC(O)CF₃)), carbamate, carbamatealkyl, urea, ureaalkyl, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfone, sulfonamide, sulfonamidealkyl, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, thiocarbonyl (such as thioester, thioacetate, or thioformate), phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate or phosphinate.

In certain embodiments, Ru represents substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, such as substituted or unsubstituted benzyl.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, or CH₂NHCH₂, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxyl. In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, preferably CH₂CH₂. In certain embodiments, L is not CH₂SCH₂

In certain embodiments, each Y represents H. In other embodiments, at least one Y is CH₂O(CO)R₇.

In certain embodiments, X represents S or CH═CH. In certain embodiments, X represents S.

In certain embodiments, R₁ and R₂ each represent H.

In certain embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO). In certain embodiments wherein Z is R₃(CO), R₃ and R₁₁ are not identical (e.g., the compound of formula I is not symmetrical).

In certain embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl. In certain embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl, such as aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl, such as hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy. In certain embodiments, Z represents R₃(CO) and R₃ represents heteroarylalkyl.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, such as CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, R₃ represents arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl, and R₁₁ represents arylalkyl. In certain such embodiments, R₃ represents heteroarylalkyl.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂S or SCH₂, such as CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, and R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl, such as aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl, such as hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy, and R₁₁ represents arylalkyl. In certain such embodiments, R₈ represents heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S or CH═CH, such as S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl, and R₁₁ represents arylalkyl. In certain such embodiments, R₃ represents heteroarylalkyl.

In certain embodiments, L represents CH₂CH₂, Y represents H, X represents S, Z represents R₃(CO), R₁ and R₂ each represent H, R₃ represents C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), wherein R₈ represents aryl, arylalkyl or heteroaryl, R₉ represents H, and R₁₀ represents hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkoxy, and R₁₁ represents arylalkyl. In certain such embodiments, R₈ represents aryl and R₁₀ represents hydroxyalkyl. In certain other embodiments, R₈ represents heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, the glutaminase inhibitor is selected from any one of the compounds disclosed in Table 3 of PCT Application Publication Number WO 2013/078123, published May 30, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Preferably, the compound is selected from compound 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 58, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 99, 100, 102, 105, 107, 111, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, 122, 123, 126, 127, 133, 135, 136, 138, 140, 141, 143, 146, 147, 148, 152, 153, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 168, 169, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 208, 210, 211, 213, 214, 216, 217, 219, 220, 226, 227, 228, 229, 231, 232, 234, 235, 236, 237, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 273, 274, 275, 276, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 285, 286, 287, 288, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 302, 304, 1038, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 327, 329, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 527, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 638, 639, 640, 641, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 707, 708, 709, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, or 730.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is Compound 354, also known as CB-839:

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of treating or preventing cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer, in a subject, comprising administering a compound of formula (II):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

-   X is a bond, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —CH═CH—, or —C(O)—; -   each W, Y and Z is independently —S—, —CH═, —O—, —N═, or —NH—,     provided that (1) at least one of W, Y and Z is not —CH═and (2) when     one of

W is —S— and the Y in the same ring is N, then the Z in the same ring is not —CH═;

-   each R¹ and R² is independently C₁₋₆ alkylene-R⁴, —N(R³)—R⁴,     —N(R³)—C(O)—R⁴, —C(O)—N(R³)—R⁴, —N(R³)—C(O)—O—R⁴,     —N(R³)—C(O)—N(R³)—R⁴, —O—C(O)—N(R³)—R⁴, —N(R³)—C(O)—C₁₋₆     alkylene-C(O)—R⁴, —N(R³)—C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkylene-N(R³)—C(O)—R⁴ or     —N(R^(3a))—C(O)—CH₂—N(R³)—C(O)—R⁴; -   each R³ is independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl; -   each R⁴ is independently C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl,     aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl     or cycloalkylalkyl, each of which is substituted with 0-3     occurrences of R⁵, or two adjacent R⁵ moieties, taken together with     the atoms to which they are attached form a heterocyclyl,     heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or aryl; -   each R⁵ is independently oxo (═O), C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆     alkoxy, cyano, halo, —OH, —SH, —OCF₃, —SO₂—C₁₋₆ alkyl, —NO₂,     —N(R⁷)—C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkyl, —N(R⁶)₂, —O—C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₃₋₇     cycloalkyl, (C₃₋₇cycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, aryloxy, —C(O)-aryl,     heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl or     heterocyclyl, wherein each aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl is     further substituted with 0-3 occurrences of R⁷; -   each R⁶ is independently hydrogen, fluoro, OH or C₁₋₆ alkyl;

each R⁷ is independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —OH, —SH, cyano, halo, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —SO₂—C₁₋₆ alkyl, —NO₂, —N(R⁷)—C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkyl, —N(R⁶)₂ or C₁₋₆ alkoxy;

-   m is 1, 2 or 3; -   n is 1, 2 or 3; provided that when X is bond, the sum of m and n is     from 3 to 6 and when X is —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —CH═CH—, or —C(O)—,     the sum of m and n is from 2 to 4; -   o is 1, 2 or 3; and -   p is 1, 2 or 3; -   with the proviso that: -   (1) when X is —S—, m and n are both 2, each R⁶ is H, then (i) R¹ and     R² are not both —NHC(O)—R⁴, wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₆ alkyl, monocyclic     aryl, monocyclic heteroaryl, monocyclic aralkyl, monocyclic     heteroaralkyl and each member of R⁴ is substituted with 0-3     occurrences of R⁵; and (ii) R¹ and R² are not both —NHC(O)O-methyl,     —NHC(O)O-ethyl, —NHC(±)-6-pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dionyl, or     —NHC(O)NH-phenyl wherein said phenyl of the —NHC(O)NH-phenyl moiety     is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 groups selected from methyl,     nitro, and halo; -   (2) when X is —S—, m and n are both 1, each R⁶ is H, then (i) R¹ and     R² are not both —NH-phenyl or —NH-4-methoxy-phenyl; -   (3) when X is a bond, the sum of m and n is 3, each R⁶ is H, then R¹     and R² are not both NHC(O)-phenyl; -   (4) when X is a bond, m and n are both 2, each R⁶ is H, then R¹ and     R² are not both —NHC(O)-furanyl, —NHC(O)-phenyl,     —NHC(O)-o-methoxy-phenyl, —NHC(O)—C₁₋₆ alkyl, —NH-benzyl, or     —NH-phenyl wherein said phenyl of the —NH-phenyl moiety is     substituted with 0-3 occurrences of R⁵; -   (5) when X is a bond, the sum of m and n is 5, each R⁶ is H, then R¹     and R² are not both —NHC(O)—C₁₋₆ alkyl, —NHC(O)-cyclohexyl, or     —NH-phenyl wherein said phenyl of the —NH-phenyl moiety is     optionally substituted with methyl; and -   (6) when X is a bond, m and n are both 3, each R⁶ is H, then R¹ and     R² are not both NH-phenyl; -   preferably wherein the compound of formula (II) is administered with     a meal; and a taxane, such as paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel,     cabazitaxel or docetaxel; -   wherein the subject is refractory to at least one prior chemotherapy     treatment, preferably to treatment with a taxane.

In certain embodiments, W is —S—, each Y is —N═, and each Z is —N═.

In certain embodiments, W is —CH═, each Z is —O—, and each Y is —N═.

In certain embodiments, o is 1 and p is 1.

In certain embodiments, R¹ and R² are each —N(R³)—C(O)—O—R⁴.

In certain embodiments, the compound having the structure of Formula (II) has the structure of Formula(IIa):

In certain embodiments, R¹ and R² are the same.

In certain embodiments, the compound having the structure of Formula (II) is a compound having the structure of Formula (IIb):

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of treating or preventing cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer, in a subject, comprising administering a compound of formula (III):

wherein:

-   X is C₃—C₇ cycloalkylene; -   each W, Y and Z is independently —S—, —CH═, —O—, —N═, or —NH—,     provided that at least one of W, Y and Z is not —CH═; -   each R¹ and R² is independently —NH₂, —N(R³)—C(O)—R⁴,     —C(O)—N(R³)—R⁴, —N(R³)—C(O)—O—R⁴, —N(R³)—C(O)—N(R³)—R⁴ or     —N(R³)—C(O)—SR⁴; -   each R³ is independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl or aryl; -   each R⁴ is independently C₁₋₆ alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl,     heteroaralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, or     heterocyclyl, each of which is substituted with 0-3 occurrences of     R⁵; -   each R⁵ is independently C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, —O—C₁₋₆     alkyleneC₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆thioalkoxy, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₃₋₇     cycloalkyl, C₃₋₇ cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl,     heteroaralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclyl, cyano, halo, oxo,     —OH, —OCF₃, —OCHF₂, —SO₂—C₁₋₆ alkyl, —NO₂, —N(R⁷)—C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkyl,     —C(O)N(R⁷)₂, —N(R⁷)S(O)₁₋₂—C₁₋₆ alkyl, —S(O)₂N(R⁷)₂, —N(R⁷)₂, —C₁₋₆     alkylene-N(R⁷)₂, wherein said alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy,     —O—C₁₋₆alkyleneC₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₆ thioalkoxy, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₃₋₇     cycloalkyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl,     heteroaralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclyl, —SO₂—C₁₋₆alkyl,     —NO₂, —N(R⁷)—C(O)—C₁₋₆ alkyl, —C(O)N(R⁷)₂, —N(R⁷)S(O)₁₋₂—C₁₋₆alkyl,     —S(O)₂N(R⁷)₂, —N(R⁷)₂, or —C₁₋₆alkylene-N(R⁷)₂ is optionally     substituted with 0-3 occurrences of R⁸; or two adjacent R⁵ moieties,     taken together with the atoms to which they are attached form a     cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl; -   each R⁶ is independently hydrogen, fluoro, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —OH, —NH₂,     —NH(CH₃), —N(CH₃)₂, or C₁₋₆ alkoxy; -   each R⁷ is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; -   each R⁸ is independently halo, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, —OH,     —N(R⁷)₂, or C₁₋₆alkoxy, —O—C₁₋₆ alkyleneC₁₋₆ alkoxy, CN, NO₂,     —N(R⁷)—C(O)—C₁₋₆alkyl, —C(O)N(R⁷)₂, —N(R⁷)S(O)₁₋₂C₁₋₆ alkyl, or     —S(O)₂N(R⁷)₂; -   m is 0, 1, or 2; -   n is 0, 1, or 2; -   o is 1, 2 or 3; and p0 p is 1, 2 or 3; provided that (1) when X is     unsubstituted cyclopropyl, R¹ and R² are not both NH-phenyl; and (2)     X is other than substituted cyclobutyl or substituted cyclopentyl; -   preferably wherein the compound of formula (III) is administered     with a meal; and -   a taxane, such as paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, cabazitaxel or     docetaxel; -   wherein the subject is refractory to at least one prior chemotherapy     treatment, preferably to treatment with a taxane.

In certain embodiments, W is —S—, each Y is —N═, and each Z is

In certain embodiments, o is 1 and p is 1.

In certain embodiments, m is O and n is O. Alternatively, m and n can each be 1.

In certain embodiments, R¹ and R² are different. Alternatively, R¹ and R² can be the same.

In certain embodiments, R¹ and R² are each —N(R³)—C(O)—O—R⁴, wherein each R³ is hydrogen and each R⁴ is aralkyl or heteroaralkyl, each of which is substituted with 0-3 occurrences of R⁵.

In certain embodiments, the compound having the structure of Formula (III) is a compound having the structure of Formula (IIIa):

In certain embodiments, the compound having the structure of Formula (III) is a compound having the structure of Formula (IIIb):

In certain embodiments, the compound having the structure of Formula (III) has the structure of formula (IIIc):

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (III) is a compound of formula (IV):

wherein q is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (III) has the structure of formula (IVa):

wherein q is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (III) has the structure of formula (IVb):

wherein q is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (III) has the structure of formula (IVc):

wherein q is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Compounds of any of Formulae (II) to (IV) are alternatively referred to herein as “glutaminase inhibitors.”

Taxanes are a class of chemotherapeutics that share a complex functionalized bicyclic ring system. Taxanes have been used in treating a number of cancers, such as bladder cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, head & neck cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, lung cancer (including non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer), melanoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, penile cancer, prostate cancer, testicular germcell cancer, thymoma and thymic carcinoma. Further cancers include cholangiocarcinoma, biliary cancer, gallbladder cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, and occult primary or cancer of unknown primary. Representative taxanes include paclitaxel, docetaxel, cabazitaxel, larotaxel, tesetaxel, BMS-184476, and NBT-287. In certain embodiments, the taxane is docetaxel. In certain embodiments, the taxane is cabazitaxel. In certain embodiments, the taxane is nab-paclitaxel. In certain preferred embodiments, the taxane is paclitaxel. In most preferred embodiments, the method comprises administering the taxane to which the subject is refractory.

As used herein, the term “refractory” describes a subject whose disease (e.g., tumor) is unresponsive to a particular therapy. Refractory subjects can have a lesser response than the treatment's efficacy in typical, responsive patients, a response that diminishes or terminates after an initial period of responsiveness to the treatment, or no response to the treatment (e.g., the tumor continues to grow). A “response” to a method of treatment can include a decrease in or amelioration of negative symptoms, a decrease in the progression of a disease or symptoms thereof, an increase in beneficial symptoms or clinical outcomes, a lessening of side effects, stabilization of disease, partial or complete remedy of disease, among others. In the treatment of cancer, a response typically indicates a reduced rate of growth for a tumor, a cessation of tumor growth, or a shrinkage of a tumor. Similarly, a response may indicate a lack of new tumors (metastases). A refractory subject, on the other hand, may experience tumor growth or the appearance of additional tumors (metastases) despite receiving the therapeutic treatment. Subjects that are refractory to a treatment may have responded initially but then became resistant to the treatment over time. Other subjects never significantly respond to the treatment.

In certain embodiments, a subject may be refractory to any known chemotherapeutic treatment as disclosed above and herein, including paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, cabazitaxel or docetaxel monotherapy. Subjects as described herein have already been dosed with one or more chemotherapeutic agents that are not a compound of formula (I) and they are refractory to one or more of those agent(s). The prior chemotherapy treatment can be selected from one or more of the additional chemotherapeutic agents that are, in some embodiments, administered conjointly with the compound of formula (I) and the taxane. These additional chemotherapeutic agents and their administration are further discussed herein and below. In certain embodiments, the prior chemotherapy treatment can be administration of one or more chemotherapeutic agents selected from a PARP inhibitor, carboplatin, tamoxifen, paclitaxel, cyclophosphanamide and doxorubicin. In certain embodiments, the prior chemotherapy treatment comprised administration of paclitaxel as a single chemotherapeutic agent or in combination with one or more other chemotherapeutic agents.

The methods described herein are useful for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers, including bladder cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, head & neck cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, lung cancer (including non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer), melanoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, penile cancer, prostate cancer, testicular germcell cancer, thymoma and thymic carcinoma. In certain embodiments, the subject has breast cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer, that is locally advanced. In other embodiments, the subject has metastatic breast cancer, such as metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be prodrugs of the compounds of formula I or Ia, e.g., wherein a hydroxyl in the parent compound is presented as an ester or a carbonate, or carboxylic acid present in the parent compound is presented as an ester. In certain such embodiments, the prodrug is metabolized to the active parent compound in vivo (e.g., the ester is hydrolyzed to the corresponding hydroxyl, or carboxylic acid).

In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be racemic. In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be enriched in one enantiomer. For example, a compound of the invention may have greater than about 30% ee, about 40% ee, about 50% ee, about 60% ee, about 70% ee, about 80% ee, about 90% ee, or even about 95% or greater ee. In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may have more than one stereocenter. In certain such embodiments, compounds of the invention may be enriched in one or more diastereomer. For example, a compound of the invention may have greater than about 30% de, about 40% de, about 50% de, about 60% de, about 70% de, about 80% de, about 90% de, or even about 95% or greater de.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer, with a compound of formula (I) or (Ia), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a taxane, such as paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, cabazitaxel or docetaxel. In certain embodiments, the therapeutic preparation may be enriched to provide predominantly one enantiomer of a compound (e.g., of formula I or Ia). An enantiomerically enriched mixture may comprise, for example, at least about 60 mol percent of one enantiomer, or more preferably at least about 75, about 90, about 95, or even about 99 mol percent. In certain embodiments, the compound enriched in one enantiomer is substantially free of the other enantiomer, wherein substantially free means that the substance in question makes up less than about 10%, or less than about 5%, or less than about 4%, or less than about 3%, or less than about 2%, or less than about 1% as compared to the amount of the other enantiomer, e.g., in the composition or compound mixture. For example, if a composition or compound mixture contains about 98 grams of a first enantiomer and about 2 grams of a second enantiomer, it would be said to contain about 98 mol percent of the first enantiomer and only about 2% of the second enantiomer.

In certain embodiments, the therapeutic preparation may be enriched to provide predominantly one diastereomer of a compound (e.g., of formula I or Ia). A diastereomerically enriched mixture may comprise, for example, at least about 60 mol percent of one diastereomer, or more preferably at least about 75, about 90, about 95, or even about 99 mol percent.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical preparation suitable for use in a human patient, comprising any of the compounds shown above (e.g., a compound of the invention, such as a compound of formula I or Ia), and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical preparations may be for use in treating or preventing a condition or disease as described herein. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical preparations have a low enough pyrogen activity to be suitable for use in a human patient.

Any of the disclosed compounds may be used in the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of any diseases or conditions disclosed herein.

Uses of Enzyme Inhibitors

In certain embodiments, the method of treating or preventing cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer, may comprise administering a compound of the invention conjointly with one or more other chemotherapeutic agent(s).

Chemotherapeutic agents that may be conjointly administered with compounds of the invention include: ABT-263, afatinib dimaleate, axitinib, aminoglutethimide, amsacrine, anastrozole, asparaginase, AZD5363, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine (bcg), bicalutamide, bleomycin, bortezomib, buserelin, busulfan, cabozantinib, campothecin, capecitabine, carboplatin, carfilzomib, carmustine, ceritinib, chlorambucil, chloroquine, cisplatin, cladribine, clodronate, cobimetinib, colchicine, crizotinib, cyclophosphamide, cyproterone, cytarabine, dacarbazine, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, demethoxyviridin, dexamethasone, dichloroacetate, dienestrol, diethylstilbestrol, docetaxel, doxorubicin, epirubicin, eribulin, erlotinib, estradiol, estramustine, etoposide, everolimus, exemestane, filgrastim, fludarabine, fludrocortisone, fluorouracil, fluoxymesterone, flutamide, gefitinib, gemcitabine, genistein, goserelin, GSK1120212, hydroxyurea, idarubicin, ifosfamide, imatinib, interferon, irinotecan, ixabepilone, lenalidomide, letrozole, leucovorin, leuprolide, levamisole, lomustine, lonidamine, mechlorethamine, medroxyprogesterone, megestrol, melphalan, mercaptopurine, mesna, metformin, methotrexate, miltefosine, mitomycin, mitotane, mitoxantrone, MK-2206, mutamycin, nilutamide, nocodazole, octreotide, olaparib, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, pamidronate, pazopanib, pemexetred, pentostatin, perifosine, PF-04691502, plicamycin, pomalidomide, porfimer, procarbazine, raltitrexed, ramucirumab, rituximab, romidepsin, rucaparib, selumetinib, sirolimus, sorafenib, streptozocin, sunitinib, suramin, talazoparib, tamoxifen, temozolomide, temsirolimus, teniposide, testosterone, thalidomide, thioguanine, thiotepa, titanocene dichloride, topotecan, trametinib, trastuzumab, tretinoin, veliparib, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine, and vorinostat (SAHA). In other embodiments, chemotherapeutic agents that may be conjointly administered with compounds of the invention include: ABT-263, dexamethasone, 5-fluorouracil, PF-04691502, romidepsin, and vorinostat (SAHA). In certain embodiments of the methods of the invention described herein, the chemotherapeutic agent conjointly administered with compounds of the invention is a taxane chemotherapeutic agent, such as paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, cabazitaxel or docetaxel. In certain embodiments of the methods of the invention described herein, the chemotherapeutic agent conjointly administered with compounds of the invention is doxorubicin. In certain embodiments of the methods of the invention described herein, a compound of the invention is administered conjointly with a taxane chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., paclitaxel) and doxorubicin.

Many combination therapies have been developed for the treatment of cancer. In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be conjointly administered with a combination therapy. Examples of combination therapies with which compounds of the invention may be conjointly administered are included in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Exemplary combinatorial therapies for the treatment of cancer. Name Therapeutic agents ABV Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine ABVD Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine AC (Breast) Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide AC (Sarcoma) Doxorubicin, Cisplatin AC (Neuroblastoma) Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin ACE Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide ACe Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin AD Doxorubicin, Dacarbazine AP Doxorubicin, Cisplatin ARAC-DNR Cytarabine, Daunorubicin B-CAVe Bleomycin, Lomustine, Doxorubicin, Vinblastine BCVPP Carmustine, Cyclophosphamide, Vinblastine, Procarbazine, Prednisone BEACOPP Bleomycin, Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Prednisone, Filgrastim BEP Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin BIP Bleomycin, Cisplatin, Ifosfamide, Mesna BOMP Bleomycin, Vincristine, Cisplatin, Mitomycin CA Cytarabine, Asparaginase CABO Cisplatin, Methotrexate, Bleomycin, Vincristine CAF Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Fluorouracil CAL-G Cyclophosphamide, Daunorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone, Asparaginase CAMP Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Methotrexate, Procarbazine CAP Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin CAV Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine CAVE ADD CAV and Etoposide CA-VP16 Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide CC Cyclophosphamide, Carboplatin CDDP/VP-16 Cisplatin, Etoposide CEF Cyclophosphamide, Epirubicin, Fluorouracil CEPP(B) Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Prednisone, with or without/Bleomycin CEV Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Vincristine CF Cisplatin, Fluorouracil or Carboplatin Fluorouracil CHAP Cyclophosphamide or Cyclophosphamide, Altretamine, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin ChlVPP Chlorambucil, Vinblastine, Procarbazine, Prednisone CHOP Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone CHOP-BLEO Add Bleomycin to CHOP CISCA Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin CLD-BOMP Bleomycin, Cisplatin, Vincristine, Mitomycin CMF Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Cyclophosphamide CMFP Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Prednisone CMFVP Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Vincristine, Prednisone CMV Cisplatin, Methotrexate, Vinblastine CNF Cyclophosphamide, Mitoxantrone, Fluorouracil CNOP Cyclophosphamide, Mitoxantrone, Vincristine, Prednisone COB Cisplatin, Vincristine, Bleomycin CODE Cisplatin, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Etoposide COMLA Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Cytarabine COMP Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Methotrexate, Prednisone Cooper Regimen Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Vincristine, Prednisone COP Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisone COPE Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Cisplatin, Etoposide COPP Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Prednisone CP(Chronic Chlorambucil, Prednisone lymphocytic leukemia) CP (Ovarian Cancer) Cyclophosphamide, Cisplatin CVD Cisplatin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine CVI Carboplatin, Etoposide, Ifosfamide, Mesna CVP Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisome CVPP Lomustine, Procarbazine, Prednisone CYVADIC Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Dacarbazine DA Daunorubicin, Cytarabine DAT Daunorubicin, Cytarabine, Thioguanine DAV Daunorubicin, Cytarabine, Etoposide DCT Daunorubicin, Cytarabine, Thioguanine DHAP Cisplatin, Cytarabine, Dexamethasone DI Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide DTIC/Tamoxifen Dacarbazine, Tamoxifen DVP Daunorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone EAP Etoposide, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin EC Etoposide, Carboplatin EFP Etoposie, Fluorouracil, Cisplatin ELF Etoposide, Leucovorin, Fluorouracil EMA 86 Mitoxantrone, Etoposide, Cytarabine EP Etoposide, Cisplatin EVA Etoposide, Vinblastine FAC Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide FAM Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Mitomycin FAMTX Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Doxorubicin FAP Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin F-CL Fluorouracil, Leucovorin FEC Fluorouracil, Cyclophosphamide, Epirubicin FED Fluorouracil, Etoposide, Cisplatin FL Flutamide, Leuprolide FZ Flutamide, Goserelin acetate implant HDMTX Methotrexate, Leucovorin Hexa-CAF Altretamine, Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Fluorouracil IDMTX/6-MP Methotrexate, Mercaptopurine, Leucovorin IE Ifosfamide, Etoposie, Mesna IfoVP Ifosfamide, Etoposide, Mesna IPA Ifosfamide, Cisplatin, Doxorubicin M-2 Vincristine, Carmustine, Cyclophosphamide, Prednisone, Melphalan MAC-III Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Dactinomycin, Cyclophosphamide MACC Methotrexate, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Lomustine MACOP-B Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Bleomycin, Prednisone MAID Mesna, Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide, Dacarbazine m-BACOD Bleomycin, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Dexamethasone, Methotrexate, Leucovorin MBC Methotrexate, Bleomycin, Cisplatin MC Mitoxantrone, Cytarabine MF Methotrexate, Fluorouracil, Leucovorin MICE Ifosfamide, Carboplatin, Etoposide, Mesna MINE Mesna, Ifosfamide, Mitoxantrone, Etoposide mini-BEAM Carmustine, Etoposide, Cytarabine, Melphalan MOBP Bleomycin, Vincristine, Cisplatin, Mitomycin MOP Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine MOPP Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Prednisone MOPP/ABV Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Prednisone, Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine MP (multiple myeloma) Melphalan, Prednisone MP (prostate cancer) Mitoxantrone, Prednisone MTX/6-MO Methotrexate, Mercaptopurine MTX/6-MP/VP Methotrexate, Mercaptopurine, Vincristine, Prednisone MTX-CDDPAdr Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Cisplatin, Doxorubicin MV (breast cancer) Mitomycin, Vinblastine MV (acute myelocytic Mitoxantrone, Etoposide leukemia) M-VAC Methotrexate Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin MVP Mitomycin Vinblastine, Cisplatin MVPP Mechlorethamine, Vinblastine, Procarbazine, Prednisone NFL Mitoxantrone, Fluorouracil, Leucovorin NOVP Mitoxantrone, Vinblastine, Vincristine OPA Vincristine, Prednisone, Doxorubicin OPPA Add Procarbazine to OPA. PAC Cisplatin, Doxorubicin PAC-I Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide PA-CI Cisplatin, Doxorubicin PCV Lomustine, Procarbazine, Vincristine PFL Cisplatin, Fluorouracil, Leucovorin POC Prednisone, Vincristine, Lomustine ProMACE Prednisone, Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide ProMACE/cytaBOM Prednisone, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Cytarabine, Bleomycin, Vincristine, Methotrexate, Leucovorin, Cotrimoxazole PRoMACE/MOPP Prednisone, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Mechlorethamine, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Methotrexate, Leucovorin Pt/VM Cisplatin, Teniposide PVA Prednisone, Vincristine, Asparaginase PVB Cisplatin, Vinblastine, Bleomycin PVDA Prednisone, Vincristine, Daunorubicin, Asparaginase SMF Streptozocin, Mitomycin, Fluorouracil TAD Mechlorethamine, Doxorubicin, Vinblastine, Vincristine, Bleomycin, Etoposide, Prednisone TTT Methotrexate, Cytarabine, Hydrocortisone Topo/CTX Cyclophosphamide, Topotecan, Mesna VAB-6 Cyclophosphamide, Dactinomycin, Vinblastine, Cisplatin, Bleomycin VAC Vincristine, Dactinomycin, Cyclophosphamide VACAdr Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Dactinomycin, Vincristine VAD Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Dexamethasone VATH Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, Thiotepa, Flouxymesterone VBAP Vincristine, Carmustine, Doxorubicin, Prednisone VBCMP Vincristine, Carmustine, Melphalan, Cyclophosphamide, Prednisone VC Vinorelbine, Cisplatin VCAP Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Prednisone VD Vinorelbine, Doxorubicin VelP Vinblastine, Cisplatin, Ifosfamide, Mesna VIP Etoposide, Cisplatin, Ifosfamide, Mesna VM Mitomycin, Vinblastine VMCP Vincristine, Melphalan, Cyclophosphamide, Prednisone VP Etoposide, Cisplatin V-TAD Etoposide, Thioguanine, Daunorubicin, Cytarabine 5 + 2 Cytarabine, Daunorubicin, Mitoxantrone 7 + 3 Cytarabine with/, Daunorubicin or Idarubicin or Mitoxantrone “8 in 1” Methylprednisolone, Vincristine, Lomustine, Procarbazine, Hydroxyurea, Cisplatin, Cytarabine, Dacarbazine

Examples of combination therapies with which compounds of the invention may be conjointly administered include cisplatin and fluorouracil; and ifosfamide, mesna, and cisplatin.

In certain embodiments, the conjoint therapies of the invention further comprise conjoint administration with other types of chemotherapeutic agents, such as immuno-oncology agents. Cancer cells often have specific cell surface antigens that can be recognized by the immune system. Thus, immuno-oncology agents, such as monoclonal antibodies, can selectively bind to cancer cell antigens and effect cell death. Other immuno-oncology agents can suppress tumor-mediated inhibition of the native immune response or otherwise activate the immune response and thus facilitate recognition of the tumor by the immune system. Exemplary immuno-oncology agents, include, but are not limited to, abagovomab, adecatumumab, afutuzumab, alemtuzumab, anatumomab mafenatox, apolizumab, blinatumomab, BMS-936559, catumaxomab, durvalumab, epacadostat, epratuzumab, indoximod, inotuzumab ozogamicin, intelumumab, ipilimumab, isatuximab, lambrolizumab, MED14736, MPDL3280A, nivolumab, obinutuzumab, ocaratuzumab, ofatumumab, olatatumab, pembrolizumab, pidilizumab, rituximab, ticilimumab, samalizumab, and tremelimumab. Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the invention further comprise conjoint administration of one or more immuno-oncology agents, such as the agents mentioned above.

In certain embodiments, a compound of the invention may be conjointly administered with non-chemical methods of cancer treatment. In certain embodiments, a compound of the invention may be conjointly administered with radiation therapy. In certain embodiments, a compound of the invention may be conjointly administered with surgery, with thermoablation, with focused ultrasound therapy, with cryotherapy, or with any combination of these.

In certain embodiments, different compounds of the invention may be conjointly administered with one or more other compounds of the invention. Moreover, such combinations may be conjointly administered with other therapeutic agents, such as other agents suitable for the treatment of cancer, immunological or neurological diseases, such as the agents identified above. In certain embodiments, conjointly administering one or more additional chemotherapeutic agents with a compound of the invention provides a synergistic effect. In certain embodiments, conjointly administering one or more additional chemotherapeutics agents provides an additive effect.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a kit comprising: a) one or more single dosage forms of a glutaminase inhibitor; b) one or more single dosage forms of a taxane such as paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, cabazitaxel or docetaxel, as mentioned above; and c) instructions for the administration of the glutaminase inhibitor and the taxane for the treatment of cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer.

The present invention provides a kit comprising:

-   -   a) a pharmaceutical formulation (e.g., one or more single dosage         forms) comprising a glutaminase inhibitor and a taxane; and     -   b) instructions for the administration of the pharmaceutical         formulation, e.g., for treating or preventing cancer, such as         triple-negative breast cancer. In certain embodiments, the kit         further comprises instructions for the administration of the         pharmaceutical formulation comprising a glutaminase inhibitor         conjointly with a taxane as mentioned above. In certain         embodiments, the kit further comprises a second pharmaceutical         formulation (e.g., as one or more single dosage forms)         comprising a chemotherapeutic agent as mentioned above.

Definitions

The term “acyl” is art-recognized and refers to a group represented by the general formula hydrocarbylC(O)—, preferably alkylC(O)—.

The term “acylamino” is art-recognized and refers to an amino group substituted with an acyl group and may be represented, for example, by the formula hydrocarbylC(O)NH—.

The term “acyloxy” is art-recognized and refers to a group represented by the general formula hydrocarbylC(O)O—, preferably alkylC(O)O—.

The term “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl group, preferably a lower alkyl group, having an oxygen attached thereto. Representative alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, tert-butoxy and the like.

The term “alkoxyalkyl” refers to an alkyl group substituted with an alkoxy group and may be represented by the general formula alkyl-O-alkyl.

The term “alkenyl”, as used herein, refers to an aliphatic group containing at least one double bond and is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkenyls” and “substituted alkenyls”, the latter of which refers to alkenyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the alkenyl group. Such substituents may occur on one or more carbons that are included or not included in one or more double bonds. Moreover, such substituents include all those contemplated for alkyl groups, as discussed below, except where stability is prohibitive. For example, substitution of alkenyl groups by one or more alkyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl groups is contemplated.

An “alkyl” group or “alkane” is a straight chained or branched non-aromatic hydrocarbon which is completely saturated. Typically, a straight chained or branched alkyl group has from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to about 10 unless otherwise defined. Examples of straight chained and branched alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, pentyl and octyl. A C₁-C₆ straight chained or branched alkyl group is also referred to as a “lower alkyl” group.

Moreover, the term “alkyl” (or “lower alkyl”) as used throughout the specification, examples, and claims is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkyls” and “substituted alkyls”, the latter of which refers to alkyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents, if not otherwise specified, can include, for example, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, a formyl, or an acyl), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, an amidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfhydryl, an alkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, a sulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the moieties substituted on the hydrocarbon chain can themselves be substituted, if appropriate. For instance, the substituents of a substituted alkyl may include substituted and unsubstituted forms of amino, azido, imino, amido, phosphoryl (including phosphonate and phosphinate), sulfonyl (including sulfate, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl and sulfonate), and silyl groups, as well as ethers, alkylthios, carbonyls (including ketones, aldehydes, carboxylates, and esters), —CF₃, —CN and the like. Exemplary substituted alkyls are described below. Cycloalkyls can be further substituted with alkyls, alkenyls, alkoxys, alkylthios, aminoalkyls, carbonyl-substituted alkyls, —CF₃, —CN, and the like.

The term “C_(x-y)” when used in conjunction with a chemical moiety, such as, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy is meant to include groups that contain from x to y carbons in the chain. For example, the term “C_(x-y)alkyl” refers to substituted or unsubstituted saturated hydrocarbon groups, including straight-chain alkyl and branched-chain alkyl groups that contain from x to y carbons in the chain, including haloalkyl groups such as trifluoromethyl and 2,2,2-tirfluoroethyl, etc. C₀alkyl indicates a hydrogen where the group is in a terminal position, a bond if internal. The terms “C_(2-y)alkenyl” and “C_(2-y)alkynyl” refer to substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated aliphatic groups analogous in length and possible substitution to the alkyls described above, but that contain at least one double or triple bond respectively. The term “alkylamino”, as used herein, refers to an amino group substituted with at least one alkyl group.

The term “alkylthio”, as used herein, refers to a thiol group substituted with an alkyl group and may be represented by the general formula alkylS—.

The term “alkynyl”, as used herein, refers to an aliphatic group containing at least one triple bond and is intended to include both “unsubstituted alkynyls” and “substituted alkynyls”, the latter of which refers to alkynyl moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the alkynyl group. Such substituents may occur on one or more carbons that are included or not included in one or more triple bonds. Moreover, such substituents include all those contemplated for alkyl groups, as discussed above, except where stability is prohibitive. For example, substitution of alkynyl groups by one or more alkyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl groups is contemplated.

The term “amide”, as used herein, refers to a group

wherein each R¹⁰ independently represents a hydrogen or hydrocarbyl group, or two R¹⁰ are taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The terms “amine” and “amino” are art-recognized and refer to both unsubstituted and substituted amines and salts thereof, e.g., a moiety that can be represented by

wherein each R¹⁰ independently represents a hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, or two R¹⁰ are taken together with the N atom to which they are attached complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure. The term “aminoalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with an amino group.

The term “aralkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with an aryl group.

The term “aryl” as used herein include substituted or unsubstituted single-ring aromatic groups in which each atom of the ring is carbon. Preferably, the ring is a 5- to 7-membered ring, more preferably a 6-membered ring. The term “aryl” also includes polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is aromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls. Aryl groups include benzene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, phenol, aniline, and the like.

The term “carbamate” is art-recognized and refers to a group

wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ independently represent hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, such as an alkyl group, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ taken together with the intervening atom(s) complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The terms “carbocycle”, and “carbocyclic”, as used herein, refers to a saturated or unsaturated ring in which each atom of the ring is carbon. The term carbocycle includes both aromatic carbocycles and non-aromatic carbocycles. Non-aromatic carbocycles include both cycloalkane rings, in which all carbon atoms are saturated, and cycloalkene rings, which contain at least one double bond.

The term “carbocycle” includes 5-7 membered monocyclic and 8-12 membered bicyclic rings. Each ring of a bicyclic carbocycle may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. Carbocycle includes bicyclic molecules in which one, two or three or more atoms are shared between the two rings. The term “fused carbocycle” refers to a bicyclic carbocycle in which each of the rings shares two adjacent atoms with the other ring. Each ring of a fused carbocycle may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. In an exemplary embodiment, an aromatic ring, e.g., phenyl, may be fused to a saturated or unsaturated ring, e.g., cyclohexane, cyclopentane, or cyclohexene. Any combination of saturated, unsaturated and aromatic bicyclic rings, as valence permits, is included in the definition of carbocyclic. Exemplary “carbocycles” include cyclopentane, cyclohexane, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-3-ene, naphthalene and adamantane. Exemplary fused carbocycles include decalin, naphthalene, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, bicyclo[4.2.0]octane, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indene and bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene. “Carbocycles” may be susbstituted at any one or more positions capable of bearing a hydrogen atom.

A “cycloalkyl” group is a cyclic hydrocarbon which is completely saturated. “Cycloalkyl” includes monocyclic and bicyclic rings. Typically, a monocyclic cycloalkyl group has from 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, more typically 3 to 8 carbon atoms unless otherwise defined. The second ring of a bicyclic cycloalkyl may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. Cycloalkyl includes bicyclic molecules in which one, two or three or more atoms are shared between the two rings. The term “fused cycloalkyl” refers to a bicyclic cycloalkyl in which each of the rings shares two adjacent atoms with the other ring. The second ring of a fused bicyclic cycloalkyl may be selected from saturated, unsaturated and aromatic rings. A “cycloalkenyl” group is a cyclic hydrocarbon containing one or more double bonds.

The term “carbocyclylalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a carbocycle group.

The term “carbonate” is art-recognized and refers to a group —OCO₂—R¹⁰, wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl group.

The term “carboxy”, as used herein, refers to a group represented by the formula —CO₂H.

The term “ester”, as used herein, refers to a group —C(O)OR¹⁰ wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl group.

The term “ether”, as used herein, refers to a hydrocarbyl group linked through an oxygen to another hydrocarbyl group. Accordingly, an ether substituent of a hydrocarbyl group may be hydrocarbyl-O—. Ethers may be either symmetrical or unsymmetrical. Examples of ethers include, but are not limited to, heterocycle-O-heterocycle and aryl-O-heterocycle. Ethers include “alkoxyalkyl” groups, which may be represented by the general formula alkyl-O-alkyl.

The terms “halo” and “halogen” as used herein means halogen and includes chloro, fluoro, bromo, and iodo.

The terms “hetaralkyl” and “heteroaralkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a hetaryl group.

The term “heteroalkyl”, as used herein, refers to a saturated or unsaturated chain of carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom, wherein no two heteroatoms are adjacent.

The terms “heteroaryl” and “hetaryl” include substituted or unsubstituted aromatic single ring structures, preferably 5- to 7-membered rings, more preferably 5- to 6-membered rings, whose ring structures include at least one heteroatom, preferably one to four heteroatoms, more preferably one or two heteroatoms. The terms “heteroaryl” and “hetaryl” also include polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is heteroaromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls. Heteroaryl groups include, for example, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine, and pyrimidine, and the like.

The term “heteroatom” as used herein means an atom of any element other than carbon or hydrogen. Preferred heteroatoms are nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

The terms “heterocyclyl”, “heterocycle”, and “heterocyclic” refer to substituted or unsubstituted non-aromatic ring structures, preferably 3- to 10-membered rings, more preferably 3- to 7-membered rings, whose ring structures include at least one heteroatom, preferably one to four heteroatoms, more preferably one or two heteroatoms. The terms “heterocyclyl” and “heterocyclic” also include polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings wherein at least one of the rings is heterocyclic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls. Heterocyclyl groups include, for example, piperidine, piperazine, pyrrolidine, morpholine, lactones, lactams, and the like.

The term “heterocyclylalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a heterocycle group.

The term “hydrocarbyl”, as used herein, refers to a group that is bonded through a carbon atom that does not have a ═O or ═S substituent, and typically has at least one carbon-hydrogen bond and a primarily carbon backbone, but may optionally include heteroatoms. Thus, groups like methyl, ethoxyethyl, 2-pyridyl, and trifluoromethyl are considered to be hydrocarbyl for the purposes of this application, but substituents such as acetyl (which has a ═O substituent on the linking carbon) and ethoxy (which is linked through oxygen, not carbon) are not. Hydrocarbyl groups include, but are not limited to aryl, heteroaryl, carbocycle, heterocyclyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and combinations thereof.

The term “hydroxyalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a hydroxy group.

The term “lower” when used in conjunction with a chemical moiety, such as, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy is meant to include groups where there are ten or fewer non-hydrogen atoms in the substituent, preferably six or fewer. A “lower alkyl”, for example, refers to an alkyl group that contains ten or fewer carbon atoms, preferably six or fewer. In certain embodiments, acyl, acyloxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alkoxy substituents defined herein are respectively lower acyl, lower acyloxy, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or lower alkoxy, whether they appear alone or in combination with other substituents, such as in the recitations hydroxyalkyl and aralkyl (in which case, for example, the atoms within the aryl group are not counted when counting the carbon atoms in the alkyl substituent).

The terms “polycyclyl”, “polycycle”, and “polycyclic” refer to two or more rings (e.g., cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls, heteroaryls, and/or heterocyclyls) in which two or more atoms are common to two adjoining rings, e.g., the rings are “fused rings”. Each of the rings of the polycycle can be substituted or unsubstituted. In certain embodiments, each ring of the polycycle contains from 3 to 10 atoms in the ring, preferably from 5 to 7.

The term “silyl” refers to a silicon moiety with three hydrocarbyl moieties attached thereto.

The term “substituted” refers to moieties having substituents replacing a hydrogen on one or more carbons of the backbone. It will be understood that “substitution” or “substituted with” includes the implicit proviso that such substitution is in accordance with permitted valence of the substituted atom and the substituent, and that the substitution results in a stable compound, e.g., which does not spontaneously undergo transformation such as by rearrangement, cyclization, elimination, etc. As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include all permissible substituents of organic compounds. In a broad aspect, the permissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, aromatic and non-aromatic substituents of organic compounds. The permissible substituents can be one or more and the same or different for appropriate organic compounds. For purposes of this invention, the heteroatoms such as nitrogen may have hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organic compounds described herein which satisfy the valences of the heteroatoms. Substituents can include any substituents described herein, for example, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an alkoxycarbonyl, a formyl, or an acyl), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, a phosphoryl, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, an amidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfhydryl, an alkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, a sulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that substituents can themselves be substituted, if appropriate. Unless specifically stated as “unsubstituted,” references to chemical moieties herein are understood to include substituted variants. For example, reference to an “aryl” group or moiety implicitly includes both substituted and unsubstituted variants.

The term “sulfate” is art-recognized and refers to the group —OSO₃H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The term “sulfonamide” is art-recognized and refers to the group represented by the general formulae

wherein R⁹ and R¹⁹ independently represents hydrogen or hydrocarbyl, such as alkyl, or R⁹ and R¹⁰ taken together with the intervening atom(s) complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The term “sulfoxide” is art-recognized and refers to the group —S(O)—R¹⁰, wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl.

The term “sulfonate” is art-recognized and refers to the group SO3H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The term “sulfone” is art-recognized and refers to the group —S(O)₂—R¹⁰, wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl.

The term “thioalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with a thiol group.

The term “thioester”, as used herein, refers to a group —C(O)SR¹⁰ or —SC(O)R¹⁰ wherein R¹⁰ represents a hydrocarbyl.

The term “thioether”, as used herein, is equivalent to an ether, wherein the oxygen is replaced with a sulfur.

The term “urea” is art-recognized and may be represented by the general formula

wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ independently represent hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl, such as alkyl, or either occurrence of R⁹ taken together with R¹⁰ and the intervening atom(s) complete a heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure.

The term “protecting group” refers to a group of atoms that, when attached to a reactive functional group in a molecule, mask, reduce or prevent the reactivity of the functional group. Typically, a protecting group may be selectively removed as desired during the course of a synthesis. Examples of protecting groups can be found in Greene and Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, 3rd Ed., 1999, John Wiley & Sons, NY and Harrison et al., Compendium of Synthetic Organic Methods, Vols. 1-8, 1971-1996, John Wiley & Sons, NY. Representative nitrogen protecting groups include, but are not limited to, formyl, acetyl, trifluoroacetyl, benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl (“CBZ”), tert-butoxycarbonyl (“Boc”), trimethylsilyl (“TMS”), 2-trimethylsilyl-ethanesulfonyl (“TES”), trityl and substituted trityl groups, allyloxycarbonyl, 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (“FMOC”), nitro-veratryloxycarbonyl (“NVOC”) and the like. Representative hydroxyl protecting groups include, but are not limited to, those where the hydroxyl group is either acylated (esterified) or alkylated such as benzyl and trityl ethers, as well as alkyl ethers, tetrahydropyranyl ethers, trialkylsilyl ethers (e.g., TMS or TIPS groups), glycol ethers, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol derivatives and allyl ethers.

The term “healthcare providers” refers to individuals or organizations that provide healthcare services to a person, community, etc. Examples of “healthcare providers” include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, hospitals, continuing care retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, subacute care facilities, clinics, multispecialty clinics, freestanding ambulatory centers, home health agencies, HMO's and PPO's.

The term “subject” to which administration is contemplated includes, but is not limited to, humans (i.e., a male or female of any age group, e.g., a pediatric subject (e.g., infant, child, adolescent) or adult subject (e.g., young adult, middle-aged adult or senior adult)) and/or other primates (e.g., cynomolgus monkeys, rhesus monkeys); mammals, including commercially relevant mammals such as cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, goats, cats, and/or dogs; and/or birds, including commercially relevant birds such as chickens, ducks, geese, quail, and/or turkeys. Preferred subjects are humans.

As used herein, a therapeutic that “prevents” a disorder or condition refers to a compound that, in a statistical sample, reduces the occurrence of the disorder or condition in the treated sample relative to an untreated control sample, or delays the onset or reduces the severity of one or more symptoms of the disorder or condition relative to the untreated control sample.

The term “treating” includes prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatments. The term “prophylactic or therapeutic” treatment is art-recognized and includes administration to the subject of one or more of the disclosed compositions. If it is administered prior to clinical manifestation of the unwanted condition (e.g., disease or other unwanted state of the subject) then the treatment is prophylactic (i.e., it protects the subject against developing the unwanted condition), whereas if it is administered after manifestation of the unwanted condition, the treatment is therapeutic, (i.e., it is intended to diminish, ameliorate, or stabilize the existing unwanted condition or side effects thereof).

The term “prodrug” is intended to encompass compounds which, under physiologic conditions, are converted into the therapeutically active agents of the present invention (e.g., a compound of formula I). A common method for making a prodrug is to include one or more selected moieties which are hydrolyzed under physiologic conditions to reveal the desired molecule. In other embodiments, the prodrug is converted by an enzymatic activity of the subject. For example, esters or carbonates (e.g., esters or carbonates of alcohols or carboxylic acids) are preferred prodrugs of the present invention. In certain embodiments, some or all of the compounds of formula I in a formulation represented above can be replaced with the corresponding suitable prodrug, e.g., wherein a hydroxyl in the parent compound is presented as an ester or a carbonate or carboxylic acid present in the parent compound is presented as an ester.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The compositions and methods of the present invention may be utilized to treat a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the subject is a mammal such as a human, or a non-human mammal. When administered to subject, such as a human, the composition or the compound is preferably administered as a pharmaceutical composition comprising, for example, a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are well known in the art and include, for example, aqueous solutions such as water or physiologically buffered saline or other solvents or vehicles such as glycols, glycerol, oils such as olive oil, or injectable organic esters. In a preferred embodiment, when such pharmaceutical compositions are for human administration, particularly for invasive routes of administration (i.e., routes, such as injection or implantation, that circumvent transport or diffusion through an epithelial barrier), the aqueous solution is pyrogen-free, or substantially pyrogen-free. The excipients can be chosen, for example, to effect delayed release of an agent or to selectively target one or more cells, tissues or organs. The pharmaceutical composition can be in dosage unit form such as tablet, capsule (including sprinkle capsule and gelatin capsule), granule, lyophile for reconstitution, powder, solution, syrup, suppository, injection or the like. The composition can also be present in a transdermal delivery system, e.g., a skin patch. The composition can also be present in a solution suitable for topical administration, such as an eye drop.

A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can contain physiologically acceptable agents that act, for example, to stabilize, increase solubility or to increase the absorption of a compound such as a compound of the invention. Such physiologically acceptable agents include, for example, carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose or dextrans, antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid or glutathione, chelating agents, low molecular weight proteins or other stabilizers or excipients. The choice of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, including a physiologically acceptable agent, depends, for example, on the route of administration of the composition. The preparation or pharmaceutical composition can be a selfemulsifying drug delivery system or a selfmicroemulsifying drug delivery system. The pharmaceutical composition (preparation) also can be a liposome or other polymer matrix, which can have incorporated therein, for example, a compound of the invention. Liposomes, for example, which comprise phospholipids or other lipids, are nontoxic, physiologically acceptable and metabolizable carriers that are relatively simple to make and administer.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” is employed herein to refer to those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of a subject without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used herein means a pharmaceutically acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulating material. Each carrier must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not injurious to the subject. Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include: (1) sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; (2) starches, such as corn starch and potato starch; (3) cellulose, and its derivatives, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; (4) powdered tragacanth; (5) malt; (6) gelatin; (7) talc; (8) excipients, such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; (9) oils, such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; (10) glycols, such as propylene glycol; (11) polyols, such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol; (12) esters, such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; (13) agar; (14) buffering agents, such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; (15) alginic acid; (16) pyrogen-free water; (17) isotonic saline; (18) Ringer's solution; (19) ethyl alcohol; (20) phosphate buffer solutions; and (21) other non-toxic compatible substances employed in pharmaceutical formulations.

A pharmaceutical composition (preparation) can be administered to a subject by any of a number of routes of administration including, for example, orally (for example, drenches as in aqueous or non-aqueous solutions or suspensions, tablets, capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), boluses, powders, granules, pastes for application to the tongue); absorption through the oral mucosa (e.g., sublingually); anally, rectally or vaginally (for example, as a pessary, cream or foam); parenterally (including intramuscularly, intravenously, subcutaneously or intrathecally as, for example, a sterile solution or suspension); nasally; intraperitoneally; subcutaneously; transdermally (for example as a patch applied to the skin); and topically (for example, as a cream, ointment or spray applied to the skin, or as an eye drop). The compound may also be formulated for inhalation. In certain embodiments, a compound may be simply dissolved or suspended in sterile water. Details of appropriate routes of administration and compositions suitable for same can be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,110,973, 5,763,493, 5,731,000, 5,541,231, 5,427,798, 5,358,970 and 4,172,896, as well as in patents cited therein.

The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. The amount of active ingredient which can be combined with a carrier material to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the subject being treated, the particular mode of administration. The amount of active ingredient that can be combined with a carrier material to produce a single dosage form will generally be that amount of the compound which produces a therapeutic effect. Generally, out of one hundred percent, this amount will range from about 1 percent to about ninety-nine percent of active ingredient, preferably from about 5 percent to about 70 percent, most preferably from about 10 percent to about 30 percent.

Methods of preparing these formulations or compositions include the step of bringing into association an active compound, such as a compound of the invention, with the carrier and, optionally, one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association a compound of the present invention with liquid carriers, or finely divided solid carriers, or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product.

Formulations of the invention suitable for oral administration may be in the form of capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), cachets, pills, tablets, lozenges (using a flavored basis, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth), lyophile, powders, granules, or as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid, or as an oil-in-water or water-in-oil liquid emulsion, or as an elixir or syrup, or as pastilles (using an inert base, such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucrose and acacia) and/or as mouth washes and the like, each containing a predetermined amount of a compound of the present invention as an active ingredient. Compositions or compounds may also be administered as a bolus, electuary or paste.

To prepare solid dosage forms for oral administration (capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), tablets, pills, dragees, powders, granules and the like), the active ingredient is mixed with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate, and/or any of the following: (1) fillers or extenders, such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and/or silicic acid; (2) binders, such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sucrose and/or acacia; (3) humectants, such as glycerol; (4) disintegrating agents, such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate; (5) solution retarding agents, such as paraffin; (6) absorption accelerators, such as quaternary ammonium compounds; (7) wetting agents, such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate; (8) absorbents, such as kaolin and bentonite clay; (9) lubricants, such a talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof; (10) complexing agents, such as, modified and unmodified cyclodextrins; and (11) coloring agents. In the case of capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), tablets and pills, the pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise buffering agents. Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugars, as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like.

A tablet may be made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared using binder (for example, gelatin or hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose), lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, disintegrant (for example, sodium starch glycolate or cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), surface-active or dispersing agent. Molded tablets may be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent.

The tablets, and other solid dosage forms of the pharmaceutical compositions, such as dragees, capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), pills and granules, may optionally be scored or prepared with coatings and shells, such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical-formulating art. They may also be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient therein using, for example, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose in varying proportions to provide the desired release profile, other polymer matrices, liposomes and/or microspheres. They may be sterilized by, for example, filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions that can be dissolved in sterile water, or some other sterile injectable medium immediately before use. These compositions may also optionally contain opacifying agents and may be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain portion of the gastrointestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used include polymeric substances and waxes. The active ingredient can also be in micro-encapsulated form, if appropriate, with one or more of the above-described excipients.

Liquid dosage forms useful for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, lyophiles for reconstitution, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In addition to the active ingredient, the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as, for example, water or other solvents, cyclodextrins and derivatives thereof, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof.

Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, coloring, perfuming and preservative agents.

Suspensions, in addition to the active compounds, may contain suspending agents as, for example, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitol and sorbitan esters, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminum metahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar and tragacanth, and mixtures thereof.

Formulations of the pharmaceutical compositions for rectal, vaginal, or urethral administration may be presented as a suppository, which may be prepared by mixing one or more active compounds with one or more suitable nonirritating excipients or carriers comprising, for example, cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol, a suppository wax or a salicylate, and which is solid at room temperature, but liquid at body temperature and, therefore, will melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.

Formulations of the pharmaceutical compositions for administration to the mouth may be presented as a mouthwash, or an oral spray, or an oral ointment.

Alternatively or additionally, compositions can be formulated for delivery via a catheter, stent, wire, or other intraluminal device. Delivery via such devices may be especially useful for delivery to the bladder, urethra, ureter, rectum, or intestine.

Formulations which are suitable for vaginal administration also include pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulations containing such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.

Dosage forms for the topical or transdermal administration include powders, sprays, ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, solutions, patches and inhalants. The active compound may be mixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and with any preservatives, buffers, or propellants that may be required.

The ointments, pastes, creams and gels may contain, in addition to an active compound, excipients, such as animal and vegetable fats, oils, waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives, polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid, talc and zinc oxide, or mixtures thereof.

Powders and sprays can contain, in addition to an active compound, excipients such as lactose, talc, silicic acid, aluminum hydroxide, calcium silicates and polyamide powder, or mixtures of these substances. Sprays can additionally contain customary propellants, such as chlorofluorohydrocarbons and volatile unsubstituted hydrocarbons, such as butane and propane.

Transdermal patches have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound of the present invention to the body. Such dosage forms can be made by dissolving or dispersing the active compound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate of such flux can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.

Ophthalmic formulations, eye ointments, powders, solutions and the like, are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention. Exemplary ophthalmic formulations are described in U.S. Publication Nos. 2005/0080056, 2005/0059744, 2005/0031697 and 2005/004074 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,124, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. If desired, liquid ophthalmic formulations have properties similar to that of lacrimal fluids, aqueous humor or vitreous humor or are compatable with such fluids. A preferred route of administration is local administration (e.g., topical administration, such as eye drops, or administration via an implant).

The phrases “parenteral administration” and “administered parenterally” as used herein means modes of administration other than enteral and topical administration, usually by injection, and includes, without limitation, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarterial, intrathecal, intracapsular, intraorbital, intracardiac, intradermal, intraperitoneal, transtracheal, subcutaneous, subcuticular, intraarticular, subcapsular, subarachnoid, intraspinal and intrasternal injection and infusion.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for parenteral administration comprise one or more active compounds in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable sterile isotonic aqueous or nonaqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions, or sterile powders which may be reconstituted into sterile injectable solutions or dispersions just prior to use, which may contain antioxidants, buffers, bacteriostats, solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient or suspending or thickening agents.

Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers that may be employed in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include water, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils, such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters, such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of coating materials, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use of surfactants.

These compositions may also contain adjuvants such as preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersing agents. Prevention of the action of microorganisms may be ensured by the inclusion of various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben, chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, and the like. It may also be desirable to include isotonic agents, such as sugars, sodium chloride, and the like into the compositions. In addition, prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form may be brought about by the inclusion of agents that delay absorption such as aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

In some cases, in order to prolong the effect of a drug, it is desirable to slow the absorption of the drug from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension of crystalline or amorphous material having poor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the drug then depends upon its rate of dissolution, which, in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form. Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterally administered drug form is accomplished by dissolving or suspending the drug in an oil vehicle.

Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsulated matrices of the subject compounds in biodegradable polymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide. Depending on the ratio of drug to polymer, and the nature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of drug release can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers include poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectable formulations are also prepared by entrapping the drug in liposomes or microemulsions that are compatible with body tissue.

For use in the methods of this invention, active compounds can be given per se or as a pharmaceutical composition containing, for example, 0.1 to 99.5% (more preferably, 0.5 to 90%) of active ingredient in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Methods of introduction may also be provided by rechargeable or biodegradable devices. Various slow release polymeric devices have been developed and tested in vivo in recent years for the controlled delivery of drugs, including proteinacious biopharmaceuticals. A variety of biocompatible polymers (including hydrogels), including both biodegradable and non-degradable polymers, can be used to form an implant for the sustained release of a compound at a particular target site.

Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients in the pharmaceutical compositions may be varied so as to obtain an amount of the active ingredient that is effective to achieve the desired therapeutic response for a particular patient, composition, and mode of administration, without being toxic to the patient.

The selected dosage level will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the particular compound or combination of compounds employed, or the ester, salt or amide thereof, the route of administration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of the particular compound(s) being employed, the duration of the treatment, other drugs, compounds and/or materials used in combination with the particular compound(s) employed, the age, sex, weight, condition, general health and prior medical history of the subject being treated, and like factors well known in the medical arts.

A physician or veterinarian having ordinary skill in the art can readily determine and prescribe the therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition required. For example, the physician or veterinarian could start doses of the pharmaceutical composition or compound at levels lower than that required in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and gradually increase the dosage until the desired effect is achieved. By “therapeutically effective amount” is meant the concentration of a compound that is sufficient to elicit the desired therapeutic effect. It is generally understood that the effective amount of the compound will vary according to the weight, sex, age, and medical history of the subject. Other factors which influence the effective amount may include, but are not limited to, the severity of the subject's condition, the disorder being treated, the stability of the compound, and, if desired, another type of therapeutic agent being administered with the compound of the invention. A larger total dose can be delivered by multiple administrations of the agent. Methods to determine efficacy and dosage are known to those skilled in the art (Isselbacher et al. (1996) Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 13 ed., 1814-1882, herein incorporated by reference).

In general, a suitable daily dose of an active compound used in the compositions and methods of the invention will be that amount of the compound that is the lowest dose effective to produce a therapeutic effect. Such an effective dose will generally depend upon the factors described above.

If desired, the effective daily dose of the active compound may be administered as one, two, three, four, five, six or more sub-doses administered separately at appropriate intervals throughout the day, optionally, in unit dosage forms. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the active compound may be administered two or three times daily. In preferred embodiments, the active compound will be administered once daily.

In certain embodiments, the dosing follows a 3+3 design. The traditional 3+3 design requires no modeling of the dose-toxicity curve beyond the classical assumption for cytotoxic drugs that toxicity increases with dose. This rule-based design proceeds with cohorts of three patients; the first cohort is treated at a starting dose that is considered to be safe based on extrapolation from animal toxicological data, and the subsequent cohorts are treated at increasing dose levels that have been fixed in advance. In some embodiments, the three doses of a compound of formula (I) range from about 100 mg to about 1000 mg orally, such as about 200 mg to about 800 mg, such as about 400 mg to about 700 mg, such as about 100 mg to about 400 mg, such as about 500 mg to about 1000 mg, and further such as about 500 mg to about 600 mg. Dosing can be three times a day when taken with without food, or twice a day when taken with food. In certain embodiments, the three doses of a compound of formula (I) range from about 400 mg to about 800 mg, such as about 400 mg to about 700 mg, such as about 500 mg to about 800 mg, and further such as about 500 mg to about 600 mg twice a day. In certain preferred embodiments, a dose of greater than about 600 mg is dosed twice a day.

If none of the three patients in a cohort experiences a dose-limiting toxicity, another three patients will be treated at the next higher dose level. However, if one of the first three patients experiences a dose-limiting toxicity, three more patients will be treated at the same dose level. The dose escalation continues until at least two patients among a cohort of three to six patients experience dose-limiting toxicities (ie, ≧about 33% of patients with a dose-limiting toxicity at that dose level). The recommended dose for phase II trials is conventionally defined as the dose level just below this toxic dose level.

In certain embodiments, the dosing schedule can be about 40 mg/m² to about 100 mg/m², such as about 50 mg/m² to about 80 mg/m², and further such as about 70 mg/m² to about 90 mg/m² by IV for 3 weeks of a 4 week cycle.

In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be used alone or conjointly administered with another type of therapeutic agent. As used herein, the phrase “conjoint administration” refers to any form of administration of two or more different therapeutic compounds such that the second compound is administered while the previously administered therapeutic compound is still effective in the body (e.g., the two compounds are simultaneously effective in the subject, which may include synergistic effects of the two compounds). For example, the different therapeutic compounds can be administered either in the same formulation or in a separate formulation, either concomitantly or sequentially. In certain embodiments, the different therapeutic compounds can be administered within one hour, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, or a week of one another. Thus, a subject who receives such treatment can benefit from a combined effect of different therapeutic compounds.

In certain embodiments, conjoint administration of compounds of the invention with one or more additional therapeutic agent(s) (e.g., one or more additional chemotherapeutic agent(s)) provides improved efficacy relative to each individual administration of the compound of the invention (e.g., compound of formula I or Ia) or the one or more additional therapeutic agent(s). In certain such embodiments, the conjoint administration provides an additive effect, wherein an additive effect refers to the sum of each of the effects of individual administration of the compound of the invention and the one or more additional therapeutic agent(s).

This invention includes the use of pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of the invention in the compositions and methods of the present invention. In certain embodiments, contemplated salts of the invention include, but are not limited to, alkyl, dialkyl, trialkyl or tetra-alkyl ammonium salts. In certain embodiments, contemplated salts of the invention include, but are not limited to, L-arginine, benenthamine, benzathine, betaine, calcium hydroxide, choline, deanol, diethanolamine, diethylamine, 2-(diethylamino)ethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-methylglucamine, hydrabamine, 1H-imidazole, lithium, L-lysine, magnesium, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine, piperazine, potassium, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine, sodium, triethanolamine, tromethamine, and zinc salts. In certain embodiments, contemplated salts of the invention include, but are not limited to, Na, Ca, K, Mg, Zn or other metal salts.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts can also exist as various solvates, such as with water, methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, and the like. Mixtures of such solvates can also be prepared. The source of such solvate can be from the solvent of crystallization, inherent in the solvent of preparation or crystallization, or adventitious to such solvent.

Wetting agents, emulsifiers and lubricants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, release agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the compositions.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants include: (1) water-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, cysteine hydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite and the like; (2) oil-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), lecithin, propyl gallate, alpha-tocopherol, and the like; and (3) metal-chelating agents, such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to a method for conducting a pharmaceutical business, by manufacturing a formulation of a compound of the invention, or a kit as described herein, and marketing to healthcare providers the benefits of using the formulation or kit for treating or preventing any of the diseases or conditions as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to a method for conducting a pharmaceutical business, by providing a distribution network for selling a formulation of a compound of the invention, or kit as described herein, and providing instruction material to patients or physicians for using the formulation for treating or preventing any of the diseases or conditions as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the invention comprises a method for conducting a pharmaceutical business, by determining an appropriate formulation and dosage of a compound of the invention for treating or preventing any of the diseases or conditions as described herein, conducting therapeutic profiling of identified formulations for efficacy and toxicity in animals, and providing a distribution network for selling an identified preparation as having an acceptable therapeutic profile. In certain embodiments, the method further includes providing a sales group for marketing the preparation to healthcare providers.

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to a method for conducting a pharmaceutical business by determining an appropriate formulation and dosage of a compound of the invention for treating or preventing any of the disease or conditions as described herein, and licensing, to a third party, the rights for further development and sale of the formulation.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Synthesis of CB-839: 2-phenyl-N-(6-(4-(5-(2-(pyridin-2-yflacetamido)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)butyl)pyridazin-3-yl)acetamide

The synthesis of CB-839 is as described for compound 354 in WO/2014/089048, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Example 2 GLC Activity in TNBC Cell Lines

Glutaminase activity was measured in homogenates prepared from tumor cell lines using the coupled assay as described in Gross et al. (2014) Mol Cancer Ther 13: 890.

In measuring glutaminase activity in homogenates, the background activity that is independent of glutaminase was measured from reactions that lacked glutamine. Background activity was subtracted from activity in the presence of glutamine. The specific activity of glutaminase was calculated by dividing the background-subtracted glutaminase activity by the total protein amount present in the reaction. The extent of cell growth or cell loss (i.e., a decrease in cell number relative to the time of compound addition) was determined following treatment with 1 μM CB-839 for 72 h.

In FIG. 1, the correlation between cell proliferation or loss measured after CB-839 treatment is plotted on the x-axis and glutaminase specific activity plotted on the y-axis.

Example 3 CB-839 Enhances the Anti-Tumor Activity of Paclitaxel in an In Vivo TNBC Model

In the JIMT-1 xenograft model, the antitumor efficacy was evaluated by treating established tumors (125 mm³ at the start of dosing) with CB-839 both as a single agent and in combination with paclitaxel, a standard-of-care chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of TNBC. The regimen for paclitaxel (five doses at 10 mg/kg delivered every other day at the start of study) was chosen to provide suboptimal efficacy to ensure a window to evaluate the potential impact of combination treatment. As shown in FIG. 2, oral dosing of CB-839 alone (200 mg/kg BID) resulted in 54% tumor growth inhibition (TGI) relative to vehicle control at study end (P=0.004). Single agent paclitaxel caused an initial regression of the JIMT-1 tumors that was followed by a rapid regrowth resulting in a TGI of 73% relative to vehicle control at the end of study (P=0.0002). Combination of CB-839 with paclitaxel largely suppressed the regrowth of the tumors resulting in a TGI relative to vehicle control of 100% at the end of study (P<0.0001 vs. vehicle and P=0.0025 vs. paclitaxel alone).

Example 4 Clinical Study of TNBC Patient Treatment with CB-839+Paclitaxel

A Phase 1 study of CB-839 in advanced solid tumors (CX-839-001) was initiated using a “3+3” dose escalation as monotherapy and in combination with standard of care agents. For the TNBC cohort, the key eligibility criteria was locally advanced/metastatic TNBC, refractory disease with prior paclitaxel therapy allowed. Presented in FIG. 3 is the length of time patients receiving CB-839 in combination with weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 IV for three weeks of a four week cycle stayed on the study. Response status was determined using the RECIST criteria (Eisenhauer et al. (2009) EJC 45:228).

Example 5 RECIST Response for TNBC Patients in a Clinical Study of Treatment with CB-839+paclitaxel

The RECIST response for each TNBC patient receiving CB-839 in combination with paclitaxel was determined according to percent change in target tumors as described in Eisenhauer et al (2009). The percent change was then correlated to the dose of CB-839 received (FIG. 4) or the length of time the patient stayed on the study (FIG. 5).

Incorporation by Reference

All publications and patents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individual publication or patent was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In case of conflict, the present application, including any definitions herein, will control. The compounds, synthetic methods, and experimental protocols and results of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/680,582, filed Nov. 19, 2012, are hereby incorporated by reference.

Equivalents

While specific embodiments of the subject invention have been discussed, the above specification is illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of this specification and the claims below. The full scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the claims, along with their full scope of equivalents, and the specification, along with such variations. 

1. A method of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, comprising administering a glutaminase inhibitor and a taxane to the subject, wherein the subject is refractory to at least one prior chemotherapy treatment.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the glutaminase inhibitor is a compound of formula (I),

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, CH₂NHCH₂, CH═CH, or

preferably CH₂CH₂, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH or CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, any hydrogen of an NH unit may be replaced by alkyl, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxy; X, independently for each occurrence, represents S, O or CH═CH, preferably S or CH═CH, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be replaced by alkyl; Y, independently for each occurrence, represents H or CH₂O(CO)R₇; R₇, independently for each occurrence, represents H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, or heterocyclylalkoxy; Z represents H or R₃(CO); R₁ and R₂ each independently represent H, alkyl, alkoxy or hydroxy; R₃, independently for each occurrence, represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), N(R₄)(R₅) or OR₆, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₄ and R₅ each independently represent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₆, independently for each occurrence, represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; and R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ each independently represent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R₈ and R₉ together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and wherein at least two of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are not H. 3-24. (canceled)
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the glutaminase inhibitor is a compound of formula (Ia),

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: L represents CH₂SCH₂, CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂, CH₂S, SCH₂, CH₂NHCH₂, CH═CH, or

preferably CH₂CH₂, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH or CH₂ unit may be replaced by alkyl or alkoxy, any hydrogen of an NH unit may be replaced by alkyl, and any hydrogen atom of a CH₂ unit of CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂ or CH₂ may be replaced by hydroxy; X represents S, O or CH═CH, preferably S or CH═CH, wherein any hydrogen atom of a CH unit may be replaced by alkyl; Y, independently for each occurrence, represents H or CH₂O(CO)R₇; R₇, independently for each occurrence, represents H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, arylalkyl, or heterocyclylalkoxy; Z represents H or R₃(CO); R₁ and R₂ each independently represent H, alkyl, alkoxy or hydroxy, preferably H; R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxyalkyl or C(R₈)(R₉)(R₁₀), N(R₄)(R₅) or OR₆, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₄ and R₅ each independently represent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₆, independently for each occurrence, represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; and R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ each independently represent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, or R₈ and R₉ together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and wherein at least two of R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are not H; R₁₁ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, or C(R₁₂)(R₁₃)(R₁₄), N(R₄)(R₁₄) or OR₁₄, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇; R₁₂ and R₁₃ each independently respresent H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amino, acylamino, aminoalkyl, acylaminoalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl, wherein any free hydroxyl group may be acylated to form C(O)R₇, and wherein both of R₁₂ and R₁₃ are not H; and R₁₄ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryloxy, or heteroaryloxyalkyl.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein R₁₁ represents substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein R₁₁ represents substituted or unsubstituted benzyl.
 28. (canceled)
 29. The method of claim 25, wherein L represents CH₂CH₂.
 30. The method of claim 25, wherein each Y represents H.
 31. (canceled)
 32. The method of claim 25, wherein X represents S.
 33. The method of claim 25, wherein Z represents R₃(CO).
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein R₃ and R₁₁ are not identical.
 35. The method of claim 25, wherein R₁ and R₂ each represent H.
 36. The method of claim 33, wherein R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein R₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted heteroarylalkyl. 38-49. (canceled)
 50. The method of claim 1, wherein the taxane is paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, cabazitaxel or docetaxel.
 51. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is refractory to the taxane.
 52. The method of any preceding claim 1, wherein the cancer is biliary cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, gallbladder cancer, head & neck cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, lung cancer, melanoma, occult primary or cancer of unknown primary, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, penile cancer, prostate cancer, testicular germcell cancer, thymoma, thymic carcinoma and uterine cancer.
 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the cancer is breast cancer.
 54. The method of claim 53, wherein the breast cancer is triple-negative breast cancer.
 55. The method of claim 1, wherein the taxane is paclitaxel.
 56. The method of claim 1, wherein the taxane is docetaxel.
 57. The method of claim 1, wherein the prior chemotherapy treatment comprised administration of a taxane as a single chemotherapeutic agent or in combination with one or more other chemotherapeutic agents.
 58. (canceled)
 59. (canceled)
 60. The method of any preceding claim 1, wherein the prior chemotherapy treatment comprised administration of one or more chemotherapeutic agents selected from a PARP inhibitor, carboplatin, tamoxifen, paclitaxel, docetaxel, cyclophosphanamide and doxorubicin.
 61. The method of claim 1, further comprising conjointly administering one or more additional chemotherapeutic agents. 62-67. (canceled)
 68. The method of claim 61, wherein the one or more additional chemotherapeutic agents are selected from bortezomib, capecitabine, carboplatin, carfilzomib, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, eribulin, fluorouracil, gemcitabine, ixabepilone, lenalidomide, methotrexate, mitoxantrone, mutamycin, rituximab, thiotepa, vincristine, and vinorelbine.
 69. The method of claim 68, wherein the one or more additional chemotherapeutic agents are selected from bortezomib, carfilzomib, doxorubicin, lenalidomide, and rituximab.
 70. The method of claim 61, wherein the additional chemotherapeutic agent is an immuno-oncology agent. 